If you’re an interior decorator, then you know that starting your own business can be a very lucrative decision. However, it’s important to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique to your clients. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 9 business ideas for interior decorators that will help them attract more clients and increase their profits.
So, whether you’re just starting out in the industry or you’re looking for ways to take your business to the next level, read on for some great ideas!
How Do I Start an Interior Decorator Business?
Okay, first thing’s first: before you can start your business, you need to first get properly trained and certified. After all, the professional design industry is extremely competitive. If you want to make a name for yourself, it won’t be enough to simply have an eye for design.
You’re going to need some sort of qualification to back you up.
This is where QC Design School comes in!
Globally-recognized and accredited with an A+ ranking with the Better Business Bureau, our wildly popular courses are online and self-paced. This means that in as little as 3-6 months, you can become a certified interior decorator right from the comfort of your own home!
QC’s Interior Decorating Course
When it comes to interior decorating training, our Interior Decorating Course will teach you everything you need to know to thrive – and even launch your own business from scratch! In this 7-unit program, you’ll learn all about:
- Fundamental elements and principles of decorating;
- What the role of a professional interior decorator consists of;
- The entire decorating process, from start to finish;
- Color theory;
- Historical, traditional, and modern design styles;
- Basic design materials and how to use them;
- How to develop floorplans;
- Wall and window treatments, and light fixtures;
- How to create moods and atmospheres within a space;
- Decorating for specific rooms and areas of the home;
- How to launch and register your business;
- Marketing and promotion;
- Working with contractors;
- Utilizing design software;
- Providing exceptional customer service;
- And SO much more!
Plus, this course will challenge you with all sorts of hands-on, real-world assignments that you’ll be tasked with completing throughout your own home! The best part? Once you graduate, you’ll have a globally-recognized International Design and Decorating Professional (IDDP) certification + designation to add to your resume!
So, as you embark on this venture to eventually start your own interior decorating business, begin your journey on the best foot possible by getting educated and certified with QC Design School!
Want to learn even more about how you can become an interior decorator successfully? Check out our Ultimate Guide!
Is Interior Decoration Profitable?
Before you delve into the world of being an entrepreneur, you most likely want to know ahead of time if this goal will be worth your while. Will the profits be worth the investment? Can you make good money? Moreover, can a career as an interior decorator be your full-time job and comfortably pay the bills?
Luckily, the answers to all of these questions is YES! The key is the amount of hard work you’re willing to put into it. If you’re willing to be patient and commit to the leg work required to get your business off the ground, the rewards will be endless!
The Average Salary of an Interior Decorator
While there’s no “one-size-fits-all” number we can give you, we can still provide some insight into the average salaries other interior decorators have been making. Here are a few figures for your consideration, based on a few example countries:
- United States: Between approx. $11,000 USD to $62,500 USD, with the current national average sitting at $42,000 USD/year (Source: Ziprecruiter)
- Canada: Between approx. $24,000 CAD to $58,000 CAD, with the current national average sitting at $37,000 CAD/year (Source: Glassdoor)
- United Kingdom: Between approx. £20,000 GBP to £58,000 GBP, with the current national average sitting at £34,000 GBP/year (Source: Glassdoor)
- Australia: Between approx. $43,000 AUD to $80,000 AUD, with the current national average sitting at $56,700 AUD/year (Source: Payscale)
When considering these numbers, remember that these are merely averages and estimates, based on what other people have earned over time. Moreover, some of these salaries may be for decorators working for an employer, rather than operating their own company.
In reality, you may end up making less or more than them. Ultimately, it’ll depend on how savvy of a marketer you are, whether you wish to offer additional design services, and whether or not there’s high demand for your interior decorators within your specific area.
That said, if you play your cards right from the get-go, you could absolutely pull in a hefty profit by the end of your first year!
How Much Does It Cost to Start an Interior Decorating Business?
Once you’re ready to get the ball rolling, you’ll first need to have an idea of the money required to build your interior decorating business from the ground up. The price of launching a company can depend on a number of factors, such as the size of it, the services you want to offer, etc.
Typically, though, you’ll need to invest in some basic start-up fees, such as:
- A computer and/or laptop
- A printer
- Telephone line and headset
- Business cards
- A professional business website
- Design supplies (floorplan paper, pens and pencils, measurement tools, etc.)
As a rule of thumb, you should save up at least $15,000-$20,000 in preparation for starting your business. That said, this estimate may be higher or lower, depending on how big you want your company to be, whether you want to run it out of your home vs. in a retail office space, etc.
Shopify also recently published a blog post wherein they stated that an entrepreneur is likely to spend an average of approximately $40,000 in their first year of business. Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind that many of Shopify’s customers are business owners selling and shipping physical products from an online store. Thus, some of the data within this article might not necessarily apply to an interior decorating business owner.
Still, the info provided in this article is definitely worth the read, in our opinion!
Additional Investments to Consider
Another investment you might want to consider is purchasing business management software that can help you streamline the whole process a little easier. Additionally, you may wish to invest in interior decorating software as well. Not to mention, if you choose to offer other types of design services as well, this may extend into purchasing specific design software for those specialties, too.
At the end of the day, the amount of money you wind up spending on the start-up costs of your business will largely depend on YOUR specific needs and budget.
9 Business Ideas for Interior Decorators
Alright, now it’s time to get down to business (excuse the pun). Now that you’re ready to launch your company, here are 9 interior decorating business ideas that are sure to set you apart from the competition, attract more clients, and better your bottom line!
1. Pair Your Interior Decorator Services with Home Staging!
If you’re not familiar with home staging, it’s basically the process of preparing a house for sale. This usually includes decluttering, deep cleaning, rearranging and/or adding furniture and decor, etc. As we continue to move out of the pandemic, the real estate market is BOOMING right now. So, there’s no time like the present to offer home staging services in addition to your interior decorating business!
Interior decorating and home staging go together like peanut butter and jelly. Pairing your interior decorator business services with home staging is a great way to attract more clients because you’ll be able to offer them a one-stop-shop solution! Not only will this make things more convenient for them; it’ll also save them time and money in the long run.
Plus, by becoming a certified International Staging and Redesign Professional (ISRP) through QC Design School’s Home Staging Course, you’ll be able to further set yourself apart from other decorating experts who don’t offer this unique service!
2. Elevate Your Interior Decorator Business by Offering Professional Organizing as Well!
If you have a knack for organization, then this business idea is definitely for you! You can start by marketing your services to individuals, families, small businesses, etc. who might need some help getting their space(s) in order.
Not only will this attract a whole new target market to your interior decorating business… It’ll also give you a chance to show off your design skills! After all, what’s more important in interior decorating than making efficient use of space?
By becoming certified as an Advanced International Organizing Professional (AIOP) through QC Design School’s online Professional Organizing Course, you’ll be able to not only hone your organizational skills but also learn how to start and run a successful professional organizing business in as little as 3-6 months!
Interested in learning even more about how to start a professional organizing business from scratch? This article will tell you everything you need to know in 6 easy steps!
3. Become an Interior Decorator Who’s Also an Expert in Feng Shui!
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on the flow of energy (or chi) in a space. When done correctly, it can help to create a more positive, productive environment for the people who live or work in that space. For this reason, when it comes to business ideas for interior decorators, this is one of the smartest options out there!
As an interior decorator with knowledge of Feng Shui, you’ll be able to attract clients who are looking for help in creating a harmonious home or office environment. This will give your business a competitive edge over other decorators. Furthermore, it’ll also allow you to tap into a whole new market!
If you’re interested in learning more about Feng Shui and how you can use it to enhance your interior decorating business, QC Design School offers an online Feng Shui Design Course. In this 6-unit program, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Feng Shui, from history and principles to applications and practices. Plus, you’ll become a globally-recognized Advanced Feng Shui Design Professional (AFDP) as soon as you graduate!
4. Extend Your Interior Decorating Services to Include Floral Design, too!
Adding floral design to your list of services is a great way to attract new clients and stand out from the competition. After all, who doesn’t love beautiful flowers and plant-life throughout their home?
Not only will this give you an opportunity to show off your creativity and refine your decorating skills even further… It’ll also allow you to tap into the lucrative wedding market, should you also wish to sell your floristry services and designs to clients outside of the home industry! Many couples are looking for help in creating unique and memorable wedding ceremonies and receptions. What better way to do that than with beautiful floral arrangements?
To become a certified International Floral Design Professional (IFDP) through QC Design School’s online Floral Design Course, you’ll need to have some basic knowledge about flower anatomy, types of flowers, care and handling, etc. However, don’t worry if you’re not familiar with all of this terminology yet; this course will teach you everything you need to know!
5. Bring Your Interior Decorator Business Outside, Too!
Landscape designers are in high demand these days, as more and more people are looking to create outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and functional. If you’re an interior decorator with a knack for design, adding landscape design services to your business is a great way to attract new clients and increase your profits!
Firstly, this business-savvy move will allow you to broaden the scope of your company. Secondly, by offering your services both inside and outside the home, you’ll be appealing to a much larger client base. Moreover, it’ll also give you the opportunity to work with some really amazing materials like stone, brick, wood, and metal!
Not to mention, you’ll be able to help clients create outdoor living spaces that can be enjoyed all year round.
To become certified as an International Landscape Design Professional (ILDP), you’ll need to complete QC Design School’s online Landscape Design Course. This 5-unit program will teach you everything you need to know about landscape design, from principles and practices to applications and business management!
6. Take Your Decorating Skills to The Next Level By Becoming a Color Consultant!
If you’re an interior decorator with a keen eye for color, then becoming a color consultant is a great way to take your business to the next level! Not only will this give you the opportunity to help clients choose the perfect colors for their homes (through paint colors, decor, accessories, etc.)… It’ll also allow you to tap into a whole new market of customers!
As a color consultant, you’ll be working with clients who are looking for help in choosing colors for the interior of their homes. Sometimes, this will extend to color selections for the exterior as well. You’ll also be helping them select furniture, fabrics, flooring, and other design elements that will compliment their chosen color scheme and desired atmosphere.
If you’re interested in getting globally-certified as an International Color Consulting Professional (ICCP), we recommend enrolling in QC Design School’s online Color Consultant Course. This course will teach you everything you need to know about color, from the basics of color theory to more advanced concepts like color psychology.
The best part?
You’ll be instructed by designer extraordinaire and color consulting legend, Jane Lockhart!
7. Tap Into a Niche Market By Offering Aging in Place Design!
If you’re interested in providing home modifications and adaptations that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their homes, then becoming an Aging in Place designer is a great way to go! You’ll be helping clients redesign their homes so that they can continue to live there as they age. Some of the most common recommendations you’ll be qualified to make for necessary modifications will include:
As more and more people are living longer, the demand for Aging in Place (AIP) design services is on the rise. This is great news for interior decorators who want their business to specialize in a specific area of their industry!
- Installing grab bars and rails
- Widening doorways and hallways
- Lowering countertops
- Adding ramps or wheelchair accessible entrances/exits, etc.
To become internationally-certified as an Aging in Place Professional (APDP), you’ll need to complete QC Design School’s online Aging In Place Course. This program is only 3 units long – however, it’ll teach you everything you need to know about designing for aging populations. This includes the basics of universal design principles, to more advanced concepts like dementia-friendly home design, and more!
8. Offer Virtual Design Services in Addition to In-Person Ones!
In today’s day and age, technology has made it possible for us to do just about anything online – including design! Virtual design services (a.k.a. e-design) are becoming increasingly popular among clients who want the convenience of working with a designer from the comfort of their own home. Over the last 2 years alone, the demand for e-design services has been greater than ever!
As an interior decorator, your business can easily offer virtual design services in addition to your regular in-person ones. This will give you the opportunity to work with clients who are located all over the world! All you’ll need is a computer, laptop, and/or phone with a trustworthy internet connection, and you’ll be good to go.
To get started, we recommend enrolling in QC Design School’s mini Virtual Design Training Course. The beauty of this program is that it’s only 1 unit long – meaning, you can finish it in less than a month!
But don’t let the length of this course fool you; you’ll be learning all sorts of invaluable skills. For instance, you’ll discover how to:
- Expand your business through digital services
- Adapt your design process in order to work in a virtual format
- Offer a variety of online services, from consultations to full redesigns
- Efficiently use online platforms to communicate effectively with clients
- Successfully market your virtual services so that your business can reach a wider audience
In terms of business ideas for interior decorators, offering e-design services to clients is one of the single best ways to advance your career!
9. Take a Course Specifically Designed to Accelerate Your Interior Decorating Business!
The right program will arm you with valuable information and skills that can be used to take your expertise – and business operations – to the next level. And when it comes to this kind of continued schooling, QC’s Accelerate Your Business Course is the way to go! Throughout the course of this 5-unit program, you’ll learn:
One of the best things you can do for your interior decorating business is to enroll in additional courses and build upon your existing education! After all, in the world of professional design, there will always be more to learn!
- The importance of creating a strong brand identity, and then actually creating it;
- How to target your ideal clients;
- The steps involved in developing your business goals;
- How to develop a solid online presence for your interior decorator business via social media, blogs, your website, etc.;
- The various types of marketing at your disposal and how to maximize them successfully;
- How to develop a professional portfolio and present your company to others;
- Client proposals and how to write them properly;
- Contracts and how to write them properly;
- Tools and software for managing your business;
- Budgets, collecting payments, etc.
- The importance of good customer relations and how to provide them;
- And SO much more!
So, if you’re looking for ways to improve your business and attract more clients, this is the course for you. Trust us – it’ll be worth your time and money!
In Conclusion…
By utilizing some (or ALL) of the business ideas for interior decorators discussed in this blog article, you’re sure to see an increase in both clients and profits. Just remember that it’s always important to continue your education and keep up with the latest trends, too!
QC Design School can help you do both of these things. We offer a wide variety of self-paced, online design courses that are perfect for aspiring professionals like yourself.
So, what are you waiting for?